Southern Districts under-14s girls walk off against Nightcliff Tigers in NTFL

The AFLNT has handed down a suspension to an under-14s girl’s coach who marched his team from the ground citing safety concerns. Read the details.

Southern Districts abandoned their under-14s match against Nightcliff.

The AFLNT tribunal has suspended a Southern Districts coach for the remainder of the 2023-24 NTFL season after he marched his under-14s girls from the ground.

It is understood the coach was concerned for the safety of his players and allegedly claimed two of his Nightcliff opponents were boys before walking his side off in the first quarter of their 5.30pm Friday Round 8 match.

Nightcliff president Mark Dodge maintains both of the players in question are girls.

The Districts coach, Mark Breed, faced the Tribunal on Wednesday night charged with misconduct where he was found guilty and suspended for the rest of the season.

He may not hold any official role within the club while suspended.

AFLNT said it was continuing investigations into what was said allegedly during the game, but stated it was offering support to those impacted by the incident.

“AFLNT takes any allegations of abuse, inappropriate behaviour and vilification very seriously and there is no place for such behaviour in our game, at any level,” a spokeswoman said.

“AFLNT and its clubs work hard to provide safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all participants, officials, and spectators, regardless of an individual’s background.”

Southern Districts released a statement on Facebook saying it had been “an emotional week” for the club particularly for its under-14s girls’ side.

“As a result of last Friday night’s incident, the Match Review Panel suspended the coach from coaching for the remainder of this year,” the post read.

“The AFLNT is continuing to investigate the issues surrounding the incident.

“Our club will continue to maintain a happy and healthy, family environment for our members, supporters and sponsors, at home and away games.”

Dodge said the club was disappointed in the Districts’ post for not noting the impacted players are girls.

“We’re disappointed in the way they’ve posted this without mentioning either of the girls involved are in fact girls,” he said.

The Nightcliff side was awarded a 60-0 win as a result of the walk-off and currently sit second on the under-14s ladder.

The Tigers posted on their social media inviting supporters to rally around the side in their 5.15pm Friday fixture at TIO Stadium.

Earlier: Junior footy match abandoned after coach’s claim

A Southern Districts coach will face the AFLNT tribunal after walking his under-14s girl’s side off the ground alleging his Nightcliff opposition had fielded boys.

The Districts girls were taken off the ground during the first quarter of the 5.30pm Friday Round 8 match played at Gardens Oval, and did not return to the field of play.

This publication understands coach Mark Breed approached the umpires with concerns about the gender of at least two members of the opposition.

When no resolution was reached he walked his players off the field.

The match review panel has charged the coach with misconduct and will proceed to a tribunal hearing.

Nightcliff Tigers president Mark Dodge said the club was disappointed in the incident, particularly as it had happened during an under-14s match.

“We’re obviously complying with the AFLNT guidelines, we as a club are disappointed it has got to this point,” Dodge said.

“We look forward to seeing some sort of resolution in regard to the investigations that are ongoing.

“Both those players are girls, and irrespective of who they are this is under-14s and this sort of alleged behaviour is not acceptable at a junior level.”

Southern Districts president Kevin Mulvahil said he and the club were working with AFLNT following the walk off.

“There was an issue during the under-14s match,” he said.

“We’re working with the AFLNT and all parties at the moment to come to some sort of resolution.”

The AFLNT has confirmed the incident and said they are working with both clubs to gather information as part of the process outlined in the National Community Football Policy Handbook.